Women contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from men more easily than men contract one from women. As a result, more women tend to have STDs.
The consequences of untreated STDs are often more serious in women, including infertility, tubal pregnancy, chronic pain, cervical cancer, and other complications. Some STDs can pass from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Learn about the types of STDs that can affect your pregnancy or baby and what treatments are available. For more information, make an appointment at New Life.
Can an STD/STI Affect Pregnancy?
The terms sexually transmitted disease (STD) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) are interchangeable. They both refer to a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that are acquired through sexual activity.
Different STIs have different impacts on the health of your baby. According to experts, these are the effects of various STIs during pregnancy and childbirth:
Chlamydia and gonorrhea
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported STI in the U.S. Generally, you do not experience symptoms with either chlamydia or gonorrhea. As a result, women often don’t get tests for these STIs.
Both of these infections put you at risk for preterm labor and birth, and low birth weight for your baby.
If you have chlamydia during childbirth, your baby can develop pink eye and pneumonia. Babies exposed to gonorrhea can also develop blindness and blood, eye, and joint infections.
Syphilis
In the last few years, there has been a rise in newborns with syphilis. A pregnant woman may not have any signs of having this STI, but it can cause serious problems for your baby.
Syphilis can cause problems with the eyes, ears, heart, skin, and bones of your baby. If left untreated, it can lead to miscarriage or even stillbirth.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a lifelong condition. It doesn’t affect fetal development, but if active during childbirth, it puts your baby at risk for blindness, brain damage, skin infections, and even death.
Trichomoniasis
If you have trich while pregnant, you’re at risk for premature delivery, and your baby may have a low birth weight.
Can I Treat an STD During Pregnancy?
Some antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy. It is essential to get proper prenatal care from your healthcare professional once you have confirmed your pregnancy. You will want to discuss your labor and delivery options based on your sexual health.
How Can New Life Pregnancy Resource Center Help Me?
For more information about STDs, read Are STDs Contagious? New Life provides referrals for low or no-cost STD testing in our area.
You can also receive free pregnancy services, such as pregnancy testing and an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy. Schedule your free, confidential appointment today. We care about your physical, sexual, and emotional health at New Life. We’re here for you.